Despite their sometimes repulsive aspect, wasps, bats, ants or even spiders all have an important role to play in nature. As long as mice remain in fields and birds in the trees, everything is for the best in the best of worlds. It is when these creatures sneak behind the siding, in walls or attics…
During winter, there are certain problems that are obvious to our inspectors even before they enter the house. One of these problems is excessive condensation in the windows. The indoor ambient temperature, the humidity level in the air, the surface temperature of the window, the outside temperature and the habits of the occupants are all…
Even though most of our modern homes are equipped with outdoor faucets that are frost-free, there are still some small precautions to take as the cold season approaches or even during the winter. Stay with us and watch our video to learn more about how to care for your outdoor faucet as winter near.
How can you understand your indoor air quality situation, whether your home is new or not? In this capsule we will help you review your concerns about the health of your loved ones and the different contaminants that can be found inside your home. You won't need any specialized tools. Your senses and especially your…
It is not uncommon for the buyer of a new house to be given a house without gutters and downspouts because, contrary to what many of us may believe, their installation is not part of the requirements of the Construction code. However, an adequate system of rain gutters and downspouts is an excellent way of…
Did you know that the slope of the land around the building has an important function of drainage of runoff water? Therefore, a poor drainage of a sloped lot due to a bad slope directing water towards the foundation can promote excess humidity in the basement or even cause water infiltration. To avoid this situation,…
Efflorescence presents itself in the form of a powdery, whitish substance that appears on the surface of brick, masonry and concrete. This phenomenon occurs when the mineral salts contained in these elements are dissolved by the water they contain. During its evaporation, the water transports these salts to the surface where they turn into those…
If you live in a home with masonry exterior cladding, such as brick, you may have noticed these small openings at the bottom of the wall. You might think the mason decided to save some money on the mortar. The reality is however quite different… Watch our video and see the real function of these…
The warm season is finally at our doorstep and the memory of past heat waves makes you seriously consider having a heat pump installed. You do some research on the internet to find that there are quite more things to consider than you first thought. And it would seem that financial assistance would be available…
If you live in a house where air drafts are part of it, you might think you’re literally throwing your money away. So you consider replacing your windows, but are they actually responsible for your discomfort and your high heating bills? If saving money is your main goal, there may be other more effective and…